I stopped reading after it started going on about people would be calling for his head if it was Laws or Cotterill.
No mention of the forced losses of Mears, Fox, Cork, Elliott and Eagles from last years team. Maybe people are taking this into account?
The patronising "young Master Eddie" does not add much either.

"A truth’s initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn’t the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn’t flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic."

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully and unawaredly enslave themselves."

Just one thing I'd take issue with, and I've seen it from several people, the Youth Cup match and the reference to Blackburn as 'hoofers'.

They were certainly bigger than us, stronger and quicker as well. They were very 'professional', we took a battering off them, all that is true. But to claim our eleven footballers were simply kicked off the park by a team of bullying cloggers isn't exactly the whole story. This Blackburn team can play as well, they've not got academy status for nothing and, I believe, one of them has played in the PL already.

They're a far better football team than anyone has yet given them credit for, me apart. Anyway, we'll all be able to make our own minds up on Wednesday, I just hope I'm wrong about them.

Although any win over the old enemy is something to savour, the truth of the matter is that this was very much an under-par performance from Rovers’ youngsters. How much that was due to nerves on the night or the quality of the opposition is open to question. Undoubtedly, as Terry McPhillips admitted after the match, only Adam Henley had sampled the type of atmosphere that was generated by a crowd of 10,000 fiercely partisan fans.
Sadly, too many of the mainstays of the Rovers side had a difficult night. Jack O’Connell, recently capped by England at Under-18 level, ended a frustrating night by being shown a red card for a second bookable offence. Hugo Fernandez and John O’Sullivan, so often the lynchpins in midfield, were practically invisible for much of the game, while Curtis Haley struggled to make much impact up front.

On the plus side Osayamen Osawe again looked impressive with his direct running on both flanks, while Raheem Hanley was an industrious worker in midfield and came up with the only goal of the game.

As the Rovers struggled to impose themselves on Burnley, it again begged the question of just how much difference there is between Academy teams and the best of the rest. On the evidence of this performance, Burnley look to have assembled a decent set of lads who looked every bit as good as the teams that the Rovers play on a regular basis in the Academy League.

The Rovers, missing Robbie Cotton through illness, attacked the Darwen End in the first half and generally had the better of the play without creating too many clear-cut chances. The best moments all originated from the pace of Osawe, who continually switched wings and troubled the visiting defence with his pace and power. Ironically, the first real chance of the game fell to the Rovers winger, but sadly he completely missed his kick in front of goal.

However, another blistering run by Osawe on 24 minutes enabled him to pull the ball back for Haley, who inexplicably fired well over from a decent position.

Burnley, whilst neat and tidy in possession, seemed content to sit back and try to hit the Rovers on the break. Their first real opportunity came when Steven Hewitt, their playmaker in chief, sent in a long-range dipping effort which sailed over the bar.

The only goal of the game came on 33 minutes when Hanley rose to meet a perfect ball in from Osawe and his deft glancing header found the far corner of the net.

The visitors attempted to rally just before the break and it was during one of their raids that O’Connell found his way into the referee’s notebook.

The second half brought something of a transformation with Burnley looking the better side and the Rovers struggling to get any momentum with too many passes going astray. Burnley had a couple a decent chances that went narrowly wide, while the Rovers were reduced to hitting the long ball in search of Haley and Osawe. Indeed, Osawe, who had provided the main threat during the first half, struggled to get into the game as the Rovers seemed unable to find him with any accurate service.

The Rovers’ main threat came from the long throw-ins of Hanley and from set-pieces and it was from a Hanley throw that Haley’s headed attempt was deflected onto the bar before ‘keeper Josh Cook collected the follow-up effort from Ryan Edwards.

Hanley, who caught the eye with his non-stop running in midfield, was played in down the left with a super ball from Fernandez and duly delivered the perfect cross to the back post, but unfortunately Osawe could only head his effort into the ground and watch it bounce over the bar.

With twelve minutes remaining, the Rovers were reduced to ten men when O’Connell made a rash challenge in the centre of midfield and rightly received a second yellow card. His departure not only put the Rovers under pressure for the final stages of this game but his absence in the return leg at Burnley next week is going to be a major handicap; so much of the success this season has been built on the Edwards–O’Connell partnership in the centre of defence. Fernandez, who is no stranger to centre-back, dropped in alongside Edwards for the remainder of the match and although the visitors pressed with increased intensity, the Rovers held firm.

Whilst a 1-0 lead is welcome, there is no doubt that the Rovers will have to improve in all areas if they are to progress to the final. On the evidence of this game, one suspects that the Clarets will fancy their chances of causing an upset and reaching the final themselves.

Teams

"A truth’s initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn’t the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn’t flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic."

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully and unawaredly enslave themselves."

So far Golly but I'm willing to give time yet, id have given the last manager more time what with us being on course for play offs. Wheather the new Chairman will be as patient as me is another thing - Eddie certainly ain't safe going off his record so far.
We missed out on Warnock in Jan 2010 and we missed out when he was sacked a few months ago.

IF he signs more of these lightweight, powderpuff players that we've been seeing then were down next Season - if he signs 2 or 3 proper, experienced lads to compliment what we have (a Shaun Derry and his equivalent at centre half would be bang on) then he may stand a chance and keep his job.

"A truth’s initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn’t the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn’t flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic."

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully and unawaredly enslave themselves."

bordeauxclaretGood stuff Dave, as usual.
Just one thing I'd take issue with, and I've seen it from several people, the Youth Cup match and the reference to Blackburn as 'hoofers'. But to claim our eleven footballers were simply kicked off the park by a team of bullying cloggers isn't exactly the whole story.

Its not what is accurate BC, its what the Longside public want to read. Although shocking to see that DT has detractors like Vinnicombe and Dande - perhaps DT is becoming a bit like Henry Winter, giving his readers what he thinks they want/ought to hear.

The title 'Losing Interest' is spot on. It shows I think the season is over/dead/expired as my interest was most taken by DT having a pond. How big is it? How many fish and what type? Does he get many frogs? How does he cope with Herons etc. I have kept an old bath from our renovations and it may be destined to become a sort of pond in the not to distant future.
I just hope we get a win against Brighton as its the only game I'll see in a while. For fans it is all about winning and West Ham fans dont seem to mind how. I'd be blowing bubbles if Eddie got the results too and I wouldn't mind how he got them!

the pond is about 12 feet long and 5 across with different levels and ledges.

There are lots of plants and a filter and a waterfall.

The frogs are out and about croaking and spawning.

They drive the cat crazy and keep us awake at night.

Foxes come at night and have a slurp and then bark and wake us up.

herons are shot, I don't mess about.

We had 11 fish some quite big before the winter... and now there are three left... so we buy more each late spring.

We sat there today with a our drinkie poos and nibbles in the lovely sunshine.

Pond has decking round two sides and a steep earth bank on the other filled with greenery, and at the remaining end a wet area and various birdie things... including a large plastic heron that attracts other herons that I can then shoot.

It was grand sitting there today writing my diary, taking a spot of luncheon... and pondering the relative merits of Cotterill, Coyle, Laws and Howe... and thinking wouldn't it be just grand if the young 'uns won on Wednesday.

I am a life long Burnley fan . the story started in 1954 . i follow burnley with passion and always hope that there will be a better future some day .

Unfortunately that active passion for the club is gradually waning . The performance of the club is becoming from bad to worse . I fear that we fall in the relegation zone .

People speak very loftily of our p[atron saint who is no other than Eddir Howe .there are many questions that remain to be posed .
1. Is he too young and inexperienced to lead a Championship club?
2.Has he wisely invested on acquiring new players ?
3.Has he not disposed of some of his experienced players ?
4.Is he aware the deep frustrations of majority of fans?
5.Now that he may choose from some of his versatile young players ,will he let some to greater clubs ?

i still have some iota of trusts on him . Give him one more season . If he can impress the club ,then he has to make room to some others who has the needed experience of premiership clubs/Decisions should never be intermingled with compassion .

Watched Moneyball on the plane yesterday - great movie about Billy Beane who (temporarily) transformed the Oakland A's baseball team by buying players and using them based purely on their statistical records (because they had to sell to survive) and saving a fortune along the way for the owners. It strikes me there is a very fine line between success and failure in professional sport and if you 'have an edge' for a while with a new approach then you wont have it for long.
Billy Beane is still there ten plus years down the line, having turned down a huge (12.5million a year) offer from the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's are back where they used to be. I dont see BFC ever getting back to the heights Harry Potts once took them unless they are lucky enough to trip over the new Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson and even then how could they keep hold of them? In the meantime fingers crossed that Eddie can take us back to the promised land in the not too distant future with no money and no 'edge' over the competition....

From what I saw, heard and gather the opening two goals on Sat were crackers in what was probably a competitive game

The last 3 goals (all Austin) looked a screamed of being against a side in big bother that had actually thrown the towel in. I'd imagine it we'd had played another 10 mins it would have been 8 1 without any effort.

Anyway MH, you should be creaming, not only did we win 1-5 but frame scored (at last?) a couple.

"A truth’s initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn’t the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn’t flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic."

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully and unawaredly enslave themselves."

I'd be saying exactly the same thing and I'd be furious at our players for giving up - something we saw late on in many of Stans latter games.

Go on then, if it was the reverse and we'd have been Pompey then WHAT would I be saying? You really saying that I'd be complementing Pompey on an amazing showing - unlikely, I'd be saying it was a competitive game until we gave in late on and they bagged a few easy goals and it would have got worse with more minutes. Pray tell me, what would I have said then if other way round?

Jonas, what makes you think im not creaming? Was delighted, two superb goals in a competitive game away to a fighting team (with form) - as I've said.

The last three goals, having seen them, and read about the game and seen tonnes of similar situations before, I take with a pinch of salt and blame it on them giving up.

Not having a dig at all MH, far from it, but going of your previous history where results have told the story of a football match, I'd suggest you wouldn't be as complimentary to ourselves as you are now being to Pompey, you do seem to have similar mindset on transfers too, where 'every player we sign needs to be ready for championship football', judging transfer fees on this seasons showing, when is someone going to look at the ages of the players we have signed??
In truth, I don't think anyone will know exactly how much money has been 'wasted' this season for another couple of years, ffs Austin was a waste of 2 million after a couple of games last year........... To some.

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